SCARBOROUGH MAN MICHAEL ATHERTON CAUGHT IN INTERNET CHILD PREDATION SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Scarborough and the surrounding regions, Michael Atherton, also known as Michael Alderton, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of heinous online offenses involving the exploitation and harassment of women and young girls. The case, which unfolded over several years, highlights the dangers lurking on social media platforms and the importance of vigilance when it comes to online safety.

Authorities revealed that Atherton, aged 42, targeted victims across Yorkshire and Humberside, using Facebook as his primary platform. He employed false profiles to establish contact with women and children, often initiating communication through email and FaceTime, a video call application. His modus operandi involved befriending his victims under false pretenses, then exposing himself during these online interactions, a pattern that caused significant distress among those targeted.

The police investigation was prompted by a series of reports from victims, including a young girl aged just eight, who had been subjected to Atherton’s disturbing online behavior. One woman recounted that she had been persistently harassed on Facebook for several years, illustrating the long-term nature of Atherton’s predatory conduct. The investigation uncovered that Atherton had a prior conviction for similar offenses in 2012, when he was caught in an undercover police sting. During that operation, an officer posing as a schoolgirl managed to catch him engaging in inappropriate online activity, including sexual conversations and the sending of explicit images involving an eight-year-old girl.

Despite the gravity of his previous conviction, Atherton avoided jail at that time, claiming that his heightened sex drive was a side effect of medication prescribed for depression. However, his subsequent actions demonstrated a continued pattern of dangerous behavior. In 2012, he admitted to child pornography charges and was given a three-year community order, which included supervision and treatment for his urges. He was also placed under an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, restricting his internet use and contact with minors.

Fast forward to recent years, Atherton’s behavior escalated. A woman from Keighley, West Yorkshire, came forward to report that he had been harassing her for a decade, starting when she was just 14 years old. Her statement detailed how Atherton’s relentless pursuit had persisted for ten years, and she expressed relief that justice was finally served. Another victim, a woman from North Lincolnshire, shared how monitoring her young daughter’s internet activity led to the discovery of Atherton’s predatory actions. She emphasized the importance of vigilant online supervision to protect children from such threats.

In court, Atherton pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including six counts of indecent exposure, attempted sexual activity with a minor, engaging in sexual acts in the presence of a child, multiple breaches of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, and other related offenses. Judge Scott Wolstenholme sentenced him to seven years in prison and ordered that he remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life. The judge described Atherton as a “sexual deviant,” emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Following the sentencing, Detective Michelle Neighbour from North Yorkshire Police issued a stark warning about the dangers of accepting friend requests from unknown individuals online. She reiterated that Atherton’s behavior involved persistent sexual acts facilitated through various internet applications, and that he had harassed victims to satisfy his own sexual gratification. She highlighted that Atherton had befriended children and women on Facebook using false profiles, then contacted them via FaceTime to expose himself. Her statement underscored the importance of online vigilance and the need for parents and guardians to monitor their children’s internet activity closely.

Reflecting on Atherton’s past, it was noted that in 2012 he was considered a “high risk” to children after engaging in sexual acts via webcam with a person he believed to be a 12-year-old girl named Lilly. Unbeknownst to him, the individual was a police officer monitoring chat rooms for online abuse. During that incident, Atherton also sent explicit images involving an eight-year-old girl. His subsequent arrest led to the seizure of his computer equipment, which contained additional child pornography and hundreds of adult pornographic images. He admitted to these charges and was sentenced to a community order with supervision, along with restrictions on internet use and contact with minors.

Despite these measures, Atherton’s behavior persisted, culminating in his recent convictions. His case underscores the ongoing threat posed by online predators and the critical need for continued vigilance, law enforcement intervention, and community awareness to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.